Page 90 of Forever Mine
And yeah, my eyes flood with tears.
“Thank you. That means more to me than you could possibly know.”
Mrs. Jameson practically shoves her husband out of the way to get to me. Cradling my face, she kisses each cheek, her gray eyes the same color as her son’s. “I’d say welcome to the family, but you’ve been a part of our family for years. When are you planning to propose, and more importantly, can I help with the wedding plans?”
My face hurts from the big smile that overtakes it.
Chapter Twenty-Five
JULIEN
I involuntarily clenchElijah’s hand as we guardedly watch from the couch as Jay restlessly paces the floor, waiting for Ry to return. He texted a few minutes ago. Liz forgot to pack the clothes she left in Ry’s closet, so he’s coming back to get them.
After a little over a week, Liz decided to move out. It’s not like she lived here, but I’d gotten used to having her around. The place feels emptier, less vibrant, without her here. Then again, Jay’s current doom and gloom would suck the happiness right out of any room.
My eyes track my twin as he carves a worn path on the living room rug. Things are about to go down. I feel it. Elijah feels it, too. I knew the truce between Jay and Ry wouldn’t last. A confrontation between them over Liz was inevitable. And since she’s no longer staying here, it seems that confrontation is about to happen as soon as Ry walks in. However, I’m not going to sit by and watch my brother ambush my best friend. So I wait, and I watch.
The big question I’ve been going back and forth about since Liz told me she and Ry were together is whose side will I choose. When it comes down to it, will I back my brother or my best friend? I guess the answer ultimately comes down to Liz. I’ll stand by her and her choice, just like she did for Elijah and me. Liz wants to be with Ryder.
I’m still torn, though, because Jay is my twin, my other half. It makes me angry. Not at him but at fate or destiny or whatever the fuck it is that keeps messing with the lives of the people I love.
Jay suddenly stops pacing. I sit up straighter. The thud of my pulse feels like a doomsday clock counting down. Five… the turn of the lock. Four… the opening of the door. Three… the sound of the door closing. Two… Ryder’s footsteps on the laminate wood floor. One.
“You and I need to talk.”
Ry stops in front of the open archway of the living room. His head drops. He sighs. It’s like he knew it, too.
“Say what you need to say, Jay.”
Jay doesn’t say anything. Before Elijah and I know what’s happening, he flies forward and smashes his fist into Ry’s face. Ry stumbles to the side but doesn’t go down. A trickle of blood oozes from the corner of his bottom lip.
I make my choice.
I’m off the couch and pushing between the two of them before Jay can get off another punch.
I stand in front of Ryder, shielding him from Jay.
“Move.”
“No,” I reply.
He tries to push past me, but Elijah checks him. Ryder acts like nothing happened and walks into the kitchen. He comes back, holding a chilled bottle of water to his mouth.
“That’s the only free shot you’re getting. I hope it was worth it,” Ryder tells him. “You said you wanted to talk, so talk.”
Jay rubs his knuckles down his jeans. Ry may not fight like Jay does, but he’s built like a fucking brick shithouse, so I know Jay’s hand must hurt like hell.
“Fuck you,” Jay spits.
I one-arm him to stay put, not taking any chances. “I’ll beat the crap out of both of you if you start fighting. Liz wouldn’t want this.”
“You’re a piece of shit,” Jay hurls at him.
Ry scoffs in disbelief. “You’re fucking kidding me. If memory serves correctly, not too long ago, I poured my heart out to you about my feelings for Elizabeth, and you ran off in the night and stole her away.”
“I couldn’t steal something from you that was never yours to begin with. She chose me, not you.”
Ry’s eyes narrow and heat, the light brown charring to an ominous black.
